Chapter 979: The Nun
“This ‘Life-Death Dao Fetus’ is of decent quality. Although it is ‘dead,’ it might still be refined into a flying sword. ”
Fang Xi put the Life-Death Dao Fetus into his treasure pouch, bade farewell to Duanmu Long and Wen Wan, and continued to stroll about.
“Items with life-death attributes are rare in this world, but if one searches carefully, there are always some. . . Even if not, some Yin-Yang attributed heaven and earth treasures could be used as a substitute. ”
Two Modes, Yin and Yang, Life and Death. . . they are inherently two sides of the same coin.
“Still, to have found a Life-Death Dao Fetus is naturally for the best. . . even though this Dao Fetus Stone lacks even three apertures. . . ”
He secretly pondered for a bit and came up with a rather unconventional idea, one that might just enhance the Dao charm of the Life-Death Dao Fetus Stone.
‘The All-Heavens Precious Mirror, reaching everywhere. . . ’
‘When my True Spirit reincarnates, I could very well carry this Life-Death Dao Fetus with me and enter the cycle of reincarnation. . . ’
‘Even if that’s not possible, I could try to leave a spatial coordinate within this world’s reincarnation cycle? ’
‘However, if this matter is carried out, it might be terrifying. Not only would cultivators of this realm become my enemies, but even Celestial Immortals from the Heavenly Realm, or even more terrifying existences beyond Celestial Immortals, might descend, causing the mortal realm to collapse and reset! ’
As he mused, a bustling scene unfolded ahead.
Fang Xi approached to see Qingniu Old Daoist wearing a wry smile, watching Bi Bo Xian Zi entangled with a nun.
Seeing Fang Xi, Qingniu Old Daoist's eyes lit up and he pulled him over: “Daoist Fang, you’ve finally arrived. . . This Abbess saw Bi Bo Xian Zi and said she has a connection with Buddhism, and she even wants my ox! ”
“Moo! ”
Behind the old daoist, the big green ox mooed upon seeing Fang Xi, its eyes watery, as if it had seen a relative.
“Amitabha, benefactor, you don’t even use this ox yourself, why not give it to me? ”
The nun was an elderly abbess, with a benevolent face and kind eyes. She must have been a beauty in her youth. Her monastic robes were a bit disheveled as she clasped her hands together: “Both this female benefactor and that green ox have some affinity with my Buddhist sect. If they convert, they may achieve true enlightenment in the future. . . ”
“Bah! I am a Daoist female immortal, why would I convert to Buddhism and shave my head bald? ”
Bi Bo Xian Zi spat.
Although her character was decent, a girl’s love for beauty is innate. How could she endure shaving her head, facing a lonely oil lamp and ancient Buddha, and sitting in austere meditation?
The aged nun shook her head and looked at Qingniu Old Daoist again.
“This ox once rendered a great service to this old daoist; I truly cannot bear to part with it. . . ” Qingniu Old Daoist said with a wry smile, repeatedly cupping his hands in salute.
“Alas. . . once a thought arises, karma follows. ”
The aged nun clasped her hands, then swept her gaze over Fang Xi, exclaiming: “This benefactor possesses truly heavy killing intent! This humble nun has a Buddhist scripture and a string of prayer beads here. . . If the benefactor returns and cultivates a pure heart with few desires, reciting scriptures and chanting Buddha’s name, perhaps this karmic killing tribulation can be dispelled. ”
She appeared disheveled, yet the string of pure glazed jade prayer beads in her hands was warm and flawless, each bead radiating a faint glow, clearly no ordinary item.
“Thank you, Abbess, but I have no affinity with Buddhism. ”
Within Fang Xi’s Jade Pillow Acupoint, his Second Primordial Spirit stirred slightly, having already probed some of the nun’s true background, causing his heart to tighten.
‘An Earth Immortal. . . This world is divided into two layers, pure and turbid. In this turbid mortal realm, Celestial Immortals are extremely rare; an Earth Immortal is already a supreme figure. ’
‘Is this nun perhaps here for me? ’
His heart stirred.
Unexpectedly, the old nun sighed: “Amitabha. . . Goodness, goodness. ”
And then she simply left on her own.
“Thank you, Daoist friend. ”
Qingniu Old Daoist, however, vaguely perceived Fang Xi’s extraordinary nature, thinking Fang Xi had driven the old nun away, and hastily expressed his gratitude.
“Never mind, let’s go find Tian Ku Tou Tuo. ”
Fang Xi smiled faintly and said.
The few of them arrived outside the sea market, waited for several hours, and then saw Tian Ku Tou Tuo flying over with a displeased look.
“How was it? Did something change? ”
Bi Bo Xian Zi immediately asked.
“Indeed! That Duanmu Long somehow obtained a strand of ‘Earth Six Extremes Fiend Qi,’ which is exactly what Yue Huzhong has been desperately seeking, so he just conceded defeat! ”
Tian Ku Tou Tuo was so enraged he cursed aloud, finding a jar of strong liquor from somewhere and gulping down several mouthfuls, shouting: “That Yue Huzhong, for a bit of personal affection, shamed my Central Plains Sword Immortal reputation! This ascetic is going to sever ties with him. . . ”
‘Oh, come on. . . he has friends all over the world; he might not even remember someone like you. ’
Qingniu Old Daoist and Bi Bo Xian Zi were both speechless.
However, as seasoned cultivators, they had that much discernment. They immediately found another spot with Tian Ku Tou Tuo to drink and drown their sorrows.
The four of them traveled by spirit boat, heading deep into the sea, finding a place with exquisite scenery. They then unleashed their magic power to bind several giant whales, using them as a temporary platform for a banquet, and proceeded to drink to their hearts’ content.
This was the joy of a Sword Immortal!
If one were a Primordial Spirit Rogue Immortal, they could wander the North Sea in the morning and Mount Cangwu in the evening, their Primordial Spirit ascending to the heavens and descending to the earth, befriending a host of immortals. With a single thought, they could traverse ten thousand li in an instant and return with flowers.
When the bright moon rose to its zenith, Bi Bo Xian Zi smilingly cut out paper figures, transforming them into dancing girls and musicians. Tian Ku Tou Tuo plucked his blade to add to the merriment, and Qingniu Old Daoist, his face flushed, clamored to slaughter his old ox for meat. . . The entire group drank themselves into a stupor.
Fang Xi, whose alcohol tolerance was excellent, was not in such a state. He independently launched a sword light and ascended high into the sky.
He saw ten thousand li of cloudless sky. In Blue Star Bay, countless stars converged, like a brilliant galaxy.
The sea was a vast expanse of blue, with countless bioluminescent lights surging with the waves, truly a magnificent sight.
“This kind of scenery is far more dazzling than any ‘blue tears’. . . ”
“Perhaps only in the cultivation world can such a grand sight be witnessed. ”
He sighed in admiration, then his eyes swiveled, his gaze like a sword, piercing through a layer of illusion.
“Amitabha, Benefactor Fang, we meet again. ”
The Earth Immortal old nun clasped her hands together, smiling faintly.
“It seems Abbess has come for me? ”
Behind Fang Xi’s head, a surge of magic power appeared, augmenting his entire body, subtly concealing a trace of Si Chen Jian light.
“This humble nun indeed came for the benefactor. ”
The old nun said indifferently.
“Since that’s the case, why not reveal your true form, but instead meet me with an illusionary body? ” Fang Xi, with the Si Chen Jian in hand, asked casually.
The old nun paused, then immediately withdrew her illusionary form, revealing a face as radiant as morning clouds, and smiled: “This humble nun, Yue Kong from Small Emptiness Island, greets the benefactor. ”
“Abbess Yue Kong from Small Emptiness Island? ”
Fang Xi was startled, then said: “I seem to have heard of the Abbess’s prestigious name. You are a renowned figure among the unorthodox sects, possessing Earth Immortal magic power, but are trapped by a previous grand vow, unable to ascend. . . ”
Even with Celestial Immortal magic power, if one is entangled with major karma in the mortal world, they still cannot ascend.
“The benefactor has a connection with Buddhism and also a karmic killing tribulation, therefore this humble nun wishes to help you cross it. . . ”
Abbess Yue Kong said very frankly.
“Haha, I have no intention of entering Buddhism. What does it matter even if I die? Abbess should go and enlighten others instead, like those three below. ”
Fang Xi couldn’t help but smile upon seeing the uninhibited Tian Ku Tou Tuo and the other two.
“Among those three, Tian Ku Tou Tuo already possesses Buddhist affinity. If he doesn’t achieve it in this life, his next reincarnation will still lead him to Buddhism. Although Bi Bo Xian Zi has a slight connection with my Buddha, her worldly attachments are not severed, making it difficult for her to achieve true enlightenment. As for the last one, Qingniu Old Daoist. . . his mount, the green ox, indeed has Buddhist affinity and is destined to be a guardian of the Buddhist path. However, after meeting Daoist friend, it also has a trace of affinity with Daoist friend. ”
Abbess Yue Kong said indifferently.
Within those few comments, she displayed her powerful divination abilities and her perception of karma and karmic debt, truly extraordinary.
‘That big green ox, has an affinity with me? ’
‘Indeed, in my ‘Hunyuan Heavenly Book,’ the Yi Wood Qi is actually the most profound, as the ‘Withered Glory Chant’ began with it. . . If it obtains this inheritance, its future prospects would be vast. ’
“So that’s how it is. ”
Fang Xi received the teaching with awe.
“How about this humble nun makes a wager with Daoist friend? ”
Abbess Yue Kong said suddenly.
“A wager? ”
Fang Xi’s smile held a hint of amusement.
“Let’s wager on the future destinies of the three below,” Abbess Yue Kong said. “If all three can entirely return to Buddhism, then I ask the benefactor to reside permanently on Small Emptiness Island. If, however, even one of them does not enter Buddhism, it will be counted as the benefactor’s win, and this humble nun will be willing to act for the benefactor once, without compensation, in the future. . . ”
“So, Abbess is also from the Shushan School. . . ”
Fang Xi, however, suddenly sighed.
“Amitabha, this humble nun is not from Shushan. It’s just that I see the benefactor caught in a karmic killing tribulation, with vast implications, and I couldn’t help but wish to resolve it somewhat. ”
Abbess Yue Kong clasped her hands together, and a hint of compassion for all living beings suddenly appeared on her face.
“Even if it means falling into depravity for this, sacrificing the Buddhist Golden Body and fruit status cultivated with such difficulty, you wouldn’t hesitate? ”
Fang Xi scoffed: “I am unwilling to accept this wager. . . Abbess is perhaps too cautious. Since we cannot agree, why not draw swords? We rogue cultivators of the unorthodox path simply prefer to let our flying swords do the talking! ”
Whoosh!
Before his words had even faded, the Si Chen Jian had already struck with audacious force.
In an instant, the sword split into twelve sword shadows, like the ‘Sword Light Division’ realm in superior swordsmanship. Each sword was intertwined with reality and illusion, as elusive as a mountain goat hanging its horns, coiling towards Abbess Yue Kong to strangle her.
“Amitabha! ”
Abbess Yue Kong clasped her hands, and an emerald jade light flew out from behind her head.
Within the jade light, astonishingly, was an emerald green curved hook!
This emerald hook was a flying sword of an unusual design. When unleashed, thousands of dazzling emerald green rays of light burst forth, like mercury spilling across the ground, completely blocking the Si Chen Jian’s sword light.
The sword art of the flying hook was different from ordinary flying sword techniques; it carried an added layer of mystery and unpredictability.
In an instant!
Again, a clear chime like a jade chime sounded, and a green light, like a dragon, surged towards Fang Xi in a sudden assault!
Fang Xi casually waved his right hand. The Yang Five Elements circulated, transforming into streaks of Five Elements Divine Thunder, which landed within the emerald sword light.
Silently, several ‘Formless Divine Thunders’ stealthily approached Abbess Yue Kong and suddenly erupted!
These Formless Divine Thunders were created by Fang Xi, who had comprehended the invisible restrictions of the Taiyi Formless Sword and combined them with his own Five Elements Thunder Arts. They were shadowless, formless, colorless, and bodiless.
Yet, when unleashed, they possessed the power to shatter heavens and rend the earth!
The formless thunder light exploded fiercely, but was repelled by a layer of golden light.
Above Abbess Yue Kong’s head, fragrant cloud treasure canopies unfurled, revealing a Seven Treasures Golden Banner. Each layer contained countless golden lotuses, gleaming heavenly lamps, and even celestial maidens and Arhats, displaying boundless wondrous forms, actually repelling all of the formless thunder light!
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